Why Russia is seeking to ignite a civil war in the European Union and how to stop it?
Authored by Ruslanas Iržikevičius.
The European Union (EU) is going through a crisis that was not seen before. Nevertheless, despite of that the EU has demonstrated in the past that it is capable to resolve the crisis and come out of it even stronger. However, this time, disruptive external factors might have a devastating effect on the EU, and could become a ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’. One of the most important external factor that is meddling in the EU affairs is Russia. This country by many European Union policy makers is still considered as a friendly partner with whom it is possible to do business as usual. Perhaps it was that case in the past, but the paradigm shift took place in the Kremlins’ view of the EU. The Kremlin does not see the EU as a friendly power because it understands that the EU’s soft power and a prospect of joining it transforming societies and countries. It also understands that if such a transformation will take in the neighbouring Eastern European countries, the Russians will demand the same for Russia. And in the transformed Russia the current establishment will not find a place. Hence, the Kremlin would like the EU to collapse, even though it is rather obvious that having in mind the European history, consequences of it could be catastrophic. But the Kremlin is getting ready for that.
BSR Policy Briefing is written by Ruslanas Iržikevičius who is Editor-in-Chief of the Lithuania Tribune.
Download the BSR Policy Briefing here.
